Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV84)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8 NIV84)

I had also bought the bridesmaids a small faux fur wrap to wear with their blue gowns if they wanted to but these also were left behind after the rehearsal and decorating party! There were seven girls in the bridal party, I still have five faux fur wraps in my closet! Who didn't take their's home?

What fun I had planning and preparing our daughter's wedding. I found a couple of websites that sold all kinds of favors and trinkets to offer your guest as a remembrance of the day! Not only did I go to the expense of purchasing these little things, that were probably not necessary, but in haste and not paying close attention to what I was ordering, I ended up with more than intended.

Our family loves to play games especially cards. So, I thought it would be fun to have decks of cards on the tables for each guest to enjoy at the wedding and take home to continue to enjoy and remember the special day of Sam and Bonnie. I ordered 125 of these and when they arrived I saw the return address and thought I knew what they were so I didn't open them for about 4-5 days. When I finally opened them and realized that what I thought were the decks of playing cards was actually a little plastic note pad with a pen on the side. I panicked as I only had about 4 days before the wedding. Long story short I ordered the correct decks of cards thinking I would return the pads later. But Bonnie liked the pads and asked if we could keep them and still put them out for our guests. I figured they were already here and paid for so, "why not?" Well, much to my delight the playing cards were here two days before the wedding so they and the pads awaited our guest as they entered the reception.

The joy of the evening passed and no mention of the gifts on the tables were announced assuming our guests would know that these were for them to keep and enjoy! As I sit here writing this story almost three months later I am looking at a box stored on my bedroom floor, as I don't have the heart to just stick it in a closet. It is filled with the gifts that were meant to be enjoyed by our friends and guest; 36 note pads and 21 decks of cards. (I had even more but have been giving them away) We weren't certain how many guests were coming but my thinking was we wouldn't have enough as there would be more guests then gifts and they could take one per family. But then there was a chance of a few extras laying around but I was sure people would skloff them up taking extras for their "Aunt Clara." I never thought I would bring home so many to don my bedroom floor.

I sought His "purpose points to ponder" of these left over "favors" and as usual God revealed a possibility! God has gifts for us just waiting to be received but we don't take them. Even now, as I write this story, I think how long it has been since I prepared a story to place on this website. One of the things I love doing most in the world is seeking the purpose in everyday situations, gleaning what God might be teaching me in them and then writing about it to share with others. This is my first story in months. I'm not using the very gifts He has given me and/or the events He has brought into my life for His purpose to teach and grow me up!

Have you determined the gifts with which God has blessed you? Do you take them and use them as He has intended or are they just sitting and waiting as you stare at them as if to ask "Is that for me to take?" Can I keep it?" I'm not sure, I guess I'll just leave it there." You know what I've decided? I'm going to see His gifts as He presents them and I'm going enjoy them and use them to His glory! I don't want God to have to gather up my gifts to stick in a box somewhere or worse yet give to someone else! I'm going to take it, open it and use it as He has purposed for His honor and glory! The next time you sit at a wedding or party with a favor at your plate you may want to view that as an opportunity to take inventory of the gifts God has given you and if you're using them to His glory! Oh, and take the favor home to enjoy also!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV84)

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13 NIV84)

Pictures by Dee Wieninger, By Faith Ministries &

CF - Corrine Frances Photography

All scriptures are taken from the NIV® Copyright 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ®